CAF Con. Cup: Aduana Progress To Competition Next Phase

Aduana Stars have progressed in the CAF Confederation CupFinally after failingouteight years ago.

After failing to reach the group stage of African club competition at the first attempt in 2010, Aduana Stars have successfully done so following Wednesday’s game in Madagascar.

Although they lost 2-1 on the island against Fosa Juniors, they qualified 7-3 on aggregate.

Nathaniel Asamoah’s goal represented the first time the club has scored away from home in any CAF inter-club competition. Over the eight years they’ve been featuring on the continent, Aduana have played four away games, totaling 337 minutes of football.

They had previously lost to Raja Casablanca, Al Tahaddy, and E.S Setif, and with this defeat, have still not rectified that anomaly.

However, Ghana still awaits a victory by any of its clubs on Madagascan soil.

“What can we say? This is a victory not only for Aduana, this is a victory for Ghana,” said Albert Commey, club CEO.

“I’m so happy for the team. We’ve worked hard for this and despite the long flight and frustrations, we’ve made it. It feels good,” said goalkeeper Felix Addo, who pulled off a stunning save in the second half to deny Fosa Juniors a second penalty goal.

From a players point of view, Aduana did not have the full complement going into this game. Only 16 players were available, with defender Paul Aidoo missing the game due to suspension. With injury concerns were goalkeeper Tijani Ahmed as well as Gockel Ahortor, and Derrick Sasraku.

The Ogya Boys have also become the first Ghanaian club, since Medeama in 2016, to reach the group stage of an African club competition in the past nine seasons.